Lord, send forth more Laborers

It's been almost 2 years I've been in my Father's ministry, or probably more than two (I think I forgot my timeline). And it seems the harvest continuous to grow vast than ever... Now? My father goes to Apalan-Guesset, Cubabeng, Beckel and a new target place called Gumatdang. Recently my father held Bible Studies in the area of Gumatdang and as what I've heard there are now utmost 20 adults who are gathering for the Bible Study. I haven't been to the place yet as my Father goes there every Friday and/or Saturday, days where I'm at work. I wish those who go could take pictures too so that I may see the people and the place. But probably they were busy studying God's Word.

It's just awesome and delightful hearing their reports about Gumatdang. But as my father continues to share the gospel to different places... It seems there is a great need for more laborers to support each area of the ministry. As of now, I too am concentrated on trying to start a children's ministry in Beckel, since Bible Studies seem to be a hard method to use on that place. And, still few open their houses for God's Word and most often circumstances tend to make it more difficult.

As I try to organize and start the children's ministry with the help coming from the young people of Loakan Baptist Church, truly the task is too much to handle and bear. So, I'm simply clinging and trusting on the power of God and hoping for the working of the Holy Spirit to His people and to those that needs to hear God's Word. Number one struggle at this point is truly the people or volunteers for this ministry. It is indeed hard when there is no people to be sent for the harvest. Second may be materials to use... or perhaps provisions.. But with hope and trust in God and according to His will, He will provide!

Personally, it's truly a big question to myself or a struggle perhaps, knowing that I'm not a full-time worker of the Lord, yet I'm like giving much time, effort and even finances in the ministry. But in actuality, that's what I believe a Christian should be. Christianity is not a simple "to do" list in life, but a life that ought to be lived. I'm not saying that as Christians, we drop everything we're doing and just do ministries, etc. But simply as a Christian, when God gives us a burden and opportunities to serve, then we ought to fulfill. It's just like the people who are called for their positions, as Pastors, Evangelists, etc. As an individual Christian, God has not called us to simply watch and just give money and let the workers do their job, God has given us the "Great Commission". Not only to the disciples, the apostles, pastors, or evangelists, but to all who believe in Christ Jesus (Matt. 28:18-20). I'm just simply stating that in our everyday life, God should be there and fulfilling His Will. And when God calls us according to His will, we therefore should claim it and fulfill it. But if we turn our heads or ears away from the call, are we not stiff-necked people like the Israelites? Sadly many Christians don't often have that kind of realization. And when one does realize... it's never easy... For it's truly a battlefield. Why? because we're inside the borders of our enemy line. I mean, we're in the enemy's territory... That's the BIG reason why it's never easy. BUT of course it doesn't end there. We have GOD! And truly, it's a matter of simple FAITH and simple TRUST.... but human as we are, we are prone in disbelief, doubt and discouragement. BUT still, as Christians, we already are in Victory... It's just truly a matter of standing for that Victory Christ gave! For Christ said in the cross of Calvary, "IT IS FINISHED!"

The struggle of penmanship

It's been a long time having not been able to write something. Pretty busy much I think. Time has always been a hard thing to cope up with. So much things to do yet sometimes can't even do it. Nevertheless, it's not my topic for this post. It's about my struggle in my handwriting skill. As time truly emerge and technology too. Computers have been one of which had taken much of our time. And my simple writing skill in terms of hand writing ability seem to have been one of the casualties of being skilled in typing through computers..

Although I must admit, it has been a long struggle even before when I was in grade school. Every school grade my teacher had to put me on training for writing cursive alphabets. But for some reason, I survived my schooling. And when I was in college? Beautifying my hand writing wasn't that much of a problem. Oh well, to cut the story short. I was more exposed in computers than in simple handwriting skill. But because of it, gave me probably one of the major concerns in my life, when talking about important documents or finances or whatever. Because even my signature had been a victim of it. I can't really have a consistent signature of my own.

Because of this struggle, I actually tried to "google" about this problem before. To my gladness, I found some forums talking about the same struggles and their experiences as well. Although I haven't expressed my own agreement or sentiments. Just added on my confidence or no worries, knowing at least I wasn't alone.

These days and perhaps for a long time, signature through consistent penmanship has been a part of man's daily life, for the purpose of identifying someone. But truthfully, it is not always the case. And I think I could say that I am one example or evidence. Sadly to say, this system might be here for quite a longer time. And of course the hard part it, financial documents demand it. Although I'm sure, signature is not the main thing that really identifies a person. It only represents a part of the person. But because of systems and routines, it appears to be so. And society seem to be required to live by it.

Anyway, far more than that, there are others that identifies a person. And one thing that man has been able to  invent, is the ID system. But as always, systems has it's flaws as well. And sometimes used and abused for the wrong purposes, more so when it is connected to the so called "money". That is why I'm probably not worrying much, cause anyway, I don't have "money" (hehe! Although I would like to have too! hehe!).

Because of technology, there are other identifying systems that are now being adopted and implemented. And if movies are right, identification through body parts are now being accepted. Like eyes, finger prints and others. Recently I actually received my SSS ID, and part of it includes other IDs: PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and... forgot the other one... In other words it's 4 IDs in 1! Anyway, this is just another example of man's invention on identifying a person and by putting all things in one. (Hehe!) Just reminded of another kind of ID probably to be invented soon and it's already prophesied in the Bible. It's something that they will require, for without it one could never buy food or clothes written in Revelation 13:17. The mark of the beast. Although it's not explicit and detailed about what really is written in Rev. 13:17, it's really something to study. As a Christian and an IT, one could really believe this as an ID placed inside of a man. Just think of all the advantages: being able to monitor each individual, instant, easy for security, and to ensure order and peace... Lolz! And of course, I wouldn't want to take part of that since I'm a Christian and I believe truly on what the Word of God states. For if I would take it, it means like taking the seal of the Anti-Christ, the beast. Therefore identifying yourself to be owned completely and absolute by Satan himeslf. Anyway, just stating facts and also about my beliefs.

And through it all, I know on the the Christ of whom I follow. Jesus Christ is my Lord and my Savior. That's what matters most. And as a believer, I know I am but a pilgrim on this earth, who serves my Lord and my God, while striving and surviving on this earth. Therefore going back to my handwriting problem, I really need to try to at least to go back training my hand to write again. Therefore, it's practice time! =)